NBA Playoffs 2012: Los Angeles Clippers take Game 4; edge out the Memphis Grizzlies 101-97 in O.T
Chris Paul dropped 8 points in overtime to help the Los Angeles Clippers take an assertive 3-1 lead against the Memphis Grizzlies by winning Game 4 with the score 101-97 on Monday night here at the Staples Center, in what was another close battle in this first round playoff series.
Blake Griffin finally got it going on the offensive end by racking up a game high of 30 points to go along with 7 assists and 5 rebounds in the game. He was fouled out with a tad above two minutes to go in overtime. Chris Paul put in another inspiring performance to 27 points, 7 assists and 9 rebounds.
Caron Butler also put in double digit performance of 14 points while Maurice Williams came off the bench to record 9 points to his name, which included a clutch three pointer.
Mike Conley was spectacular for the Grizzlies and carried their charge with 25 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds in the ball game. Rudy g*y also played well for 23 points and was the fore front of the Memphis comeback in the fourth quarter to send this one to overtime.
Zach Randolph posted 12 points to go along with 9 rebounds on the night where as Marreese Speights followed him up while coming off the bench to add 9 points to the Memphis cause.
Grizzles started the game strongly as they held a 12-4 lead in the early stages of the first quarter, however playing at home at being cheered by a capacity crowd of 19,167 got the Clips going as they responded with 8 unanswered points to level up the scores.
Even though there was not much to separate the two teams from there on but the home side gradually built themselves a 5 point lead at the 1:59 mark and were able to lead 32-26 at the end of the first quarter.
In the early stages of the second quarter, Memphis outscored the Clips 8-4 to make this a one possession game. Nevertheless being led by Griffin on the other end, the home side held the Grizzlies charge at bay and prolonged their lead into double figures by the 3:13 mark in the first quarter. However the visitors closed out the half on a 5-1 run to make the score 45-51.
The third quarter saw the Grizzlies start off with a 6-2 spurt to cut down the lead but the Clippers were just not giving away their lead. They responded with 4 points from Paul and a free throw from Griffin to get back ahead by 7 in the game.
By the time, there were only a few seconds remaining in the third quarter, Grizzlies were able to cut the lead down to only 3 points and had it not been a hook shot from Kenyon Martin they would not have trailed 69-64 before going into the fourth.
In the opening stages of the final quarter, Memphis started off with 6 quick points to take a one point lead. Williams put an end to that run for the Clips which got turned into a 13-2 offensive spark, capped off by a long range dagger from Williams to attain a double figure lead.
However the Memphis side were not going out that easy, they responded with a 13-2 run of their own to level up the proceedings at 85. In the final 30 second of the fourth quarter, both sides were able to add two points to their tally to send this one to overtime.
Clipper came out gunning in the extra period, starting off with an 8-2 run to open this game up in their favour. Memphis even though put up a valiant fight responding with 4 unanswered points to turn it into a one possession game, however the Clips held their nerve in the finishing stages, especially Paul who carried the burden on his shoulders.
It remained a two point game even till the 10.1 seconds but Williams added two points from the charity stripe and g*y missed on an attempt from beyond the arc enabling the Clippers to take this one.
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